As part of Hukilau 2012, I will be giving an updated version of my Mai-Kai history on the stage at the Mai-Kai itself! This will be a very special event, unlike perhaps any you have seen before. Tiki nerds, prick up your ears!

Besides a great deal of detailed info about the Mai-Kai's history and the people behind it, I will have lots of great never before seen images. Besides the great images, I will have never before seen moving images! Besides new video, I will have many of the very people whose stories I tell, on hand for you to meet and talk to! 55 years of Mai-Kai living history!

We all love the Mai-Kai. We all revel in the drinks and environs of this most incredible of all Tiki establishments. But, you probably have only scratched the surface of your understanding of why the Mai-Kai is so damned great! If I myself have been totally blown away by my research, I feel sure that you all will be greatly engrossed as well. You will look at the Mai-Kai in a way you have not thought. This place you adore will become even more dear. Yes, that IS possible!

If the Mai-Kai isn't #1 on your bucket list, it should be. If you are traveling across the country or even the world to be at Hukilau and this special place, you owe it to yourself to get the grand tour. The back story. The experience you will never forget. Those in that room with me on April 20th will recall that time with fondness for years to come...

More details to come of course.

I have urged the Mai-Kai to add one or more flights to the drink menu for Hukilau. A way for you to try 3 drinks for the price of one, and really sample their full menu without breaking the bank or getting way too lit. The Mai-Kai is the last place on the planet still serving Don the Beachcomber's recipes, much as they were served 60 years ago.

I hope you will join me there and make more great memories of that most fantastic place!

Thanks to Martin Cate, at Hukilau I will debut this lost classic of Tiki, the Sarong Clad Mystery Girl movie! Plue more! This is a longer promo movie done for the Mai-Kai by Jaf Fletcher, which includes the Mystery Girl section. It features Ann Campbell, so it was done between 1963 and 1966. The Lincoln in the image below might help, but probably not. I think the car was pretty unchanged for a few years.
Ooo, Molokai serving girl...

The show is going to be awesome. Unfortunately, I won't be there (Mojave Oasis instead). How about a producing a video of the presentation?? I'd buy one.

Good luck, it is sure to be smashing.

DC

DC,

I'd love to do a video, but I am told you can't shoot a screen like that. However, if someone out there wants to work on that, I'm all for combining the presentation graphics with the live presentation and some Mai-Kai footage into a video...

BTW, that billborad was by David Stevens, who went on to do some very awesome billboards around the country. I would not be surprised if he wasn't behind the Kahiki winking billboard as well.

He did various projects at the Mai-Kai of the "set design" type. He was tasked with making fake rocks that hid the lights used in the gardens and waterfalls. He made copies of the massive turtle shells on the walls that were so perfect, the Thornton brothers could not tell the real one from his fakes.
_________________Like Mai-Kai: History, Mystery and Adventure the book

From April 10th, 1964, the paper reports on traffic snarled due to the Barney West carved Tikis being placed at the Mai-Kai. 11 pieces from 1 to 6 tons came by freight car.
16 foot, 3 1/2 ton "Barney gets put in place

23 foot, 6 ton Moai

"...constitute the largest carved South Seas statuary in the United States, and their addition to the restaurant's lavish tropical gardens make up what is believed to be the largest and most complete collection of artifacts in this country."

Back then, they were both placed at the south end of the property, out front.

On 2012-02-23 15:13, Q-tiki wrote:Thanks for adding these Swanky! That is very cool. Are they both still on the property?

Alas, I've never been to the Mai-Kai... but I'm hoping to pop my tiki cherry and make it for this year's Hukilau!! Still working on that.

Cheers!

The 23 foot Moai still stands at the south corner of the property. The other piece was in the gardens until a couple of years ago when decades of decay sent it toppling over and broken to pieces. Its place has now been filled by th elarge carving that used to be at the end of the Surfboard bar and in the main dinning room in older pictures.

Heeeeeeere's the rich history and long-lost stories of The Mai-Kai ...

When The Mai-Kai opened in late 1956, at a cost of a million dollars, it was the most perfect copy of Donn Beach's grand vision imaginable, but taken to new heights. The Mai-Kai quickly out-shined its competition, earning the raves of critics and its loyal clientele alike.